Sensex, Nifty 50 fail to hold opening gains, financial names drag

Sensex Today | Stock Market Highlights: The Indian market failed to hold on to early gains as selling pressure in financial stocks weighed on sentiment. Key names like Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Finance dragged the Nifty lower, while the broader market remained rangebound with a neutral market breadth.Auto stocks saw buying interest following monthly sales updates, with Hero MotoCorp and Maruti Suzuki emerging as top gainers. On the other hand, Nykaa closed 4% lower amid block deal activity, with promoters likely having sold over 2% equity. AC stocks surged nearly 5% following positive commentary from Blue Star.

Among financial names, Punjab National Bank dropped more than 3% while Indian Bank closed off its intraday highs after releasing quarterly updates. M\&M Financial Services saw short covering after the company posted a lower-than-expected Q4 update. Insurance stocks like SBI Life and ICICI Prudential were under pressure ahead of monthly data, declining 2-3%.

Apollo Hospitals extended gains following its recent rejig announcement and continued to attract buying interest. InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) was among the top midcap losers, falling 3% amid rising crude oil prices. Vedanta also ended over 2% lower after a delay in receiving NCLT approval for its demerger.

Bosch closed the session with strong gains, up 6%, ranking among the top midcap performers. ONGC and Oil India moved higher by 1-4% in line with crude oil’s upward trajectory. HDB Financial Services extended its debut-day rally, rising nearly 3% in today’s trade.